Thursday, February 15, 2007

Chris Ellison, the Australian Minister for Justice, warns anti-whaling protesters and the Japanese whaling fleet that they could face questioning over recent clashes in the Southern Ocean. Meanwhile, the crew were evacuated from the largest ship in the Japanese Antarctic fleet, the "Nisshin Maru," following a fire. //www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1848838.htm (ABC News Australia Online)

The Hamas-led Palestinian government has resigned to make way for a new administration. The Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh remains as caretaker Prime Minister and will select a new cabinet. //www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1849075.htm (Reuters/AFP via ABC Online Australia)

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin goes on record that anyone found to be culpable in the sponsorship scandal, including himself, will be immediately discharged. The issue could delay the upcoming election until after the public enquiry is completed.

Saturday, February 15, 2003

Global protests against Iraq war: More than 10 million people protest in over 600 cities worldwide, the largest to take place before a war occurs.

Global protests against war on Iraq: People around the world demonstrated against the planning of war against Iraq. In Rome three million people were on the streets, in London one million. In Berlin there were half a million in the largest demonstration for some decades. There were also protest marches all over France as well as in many other smaller European cities. Protests were also held in South Africa, Syria, India, Russia, Canada and in the US, in around 600 cities in total.

Tuesday, February 15, 1944

Sunday, February 15, 1942

Friday, February 15, 1935

The discovery and clinical development of Prontosil, the first broadly effective antibacterial drug, is published in a series of articles in Germany's pre-eminent medical journal, "Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift", by Gerhard Domagk.

Wednesday, February 15, 1933

The Blaine Act passes the United States Senate, submitting the proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution to the states for ratification. The amendment is ratified on December 5, ending prohibition in the United States.

Sunday, February 15, 1903

Saturday, February 15, 1902

Thursday, February 15, 1900

Second Boer War: The Siege of Kimberley is lifted.

Wednesday, February 15, 1899

The February Manifesto is issued by the Emperor of Russia subjugating the Diet of Finland to Imperial legislation. The Finnish estates lose their veto in regards to laws interpreted to concern all Russia, including autonomous Finland. The manifesto is viewed as unconstitutional and a coup d'état by the Finns who have come to consider their country being in real union with Russia. Furthermore, the manifesto also fails to separate which laws are to be considered local or imperial, leading the Finns to fear that any law could be considered as imperial, therefore in fact stripping the Finnish diet of all its legislative power.

Wednesday, February 7, 1364 (Julianian calendar)

Monday, February 7, 1362 (Julianian calendar)

King Magnus Eriksson's son Haakon, who is already king of Norway, proclaims himself king of Sweden, in opposition to his father. However, later during the year, father and son are reconciled and rule Sweden together.

King Magnus Eriksson's son Haakon, who is already king of Norway, proclaims himself king of Sweden, in opposition to his father. However, later during the year, father and son are reconciled and rule Sweden together.

Thursday, February 8, 1145 (Julianian calendar)

Arnold of Brescia joins the revolutionary Commune of Rome, where he becomes its intellectual leader for the next decade.